Westchester Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins, D-Yonkers, put out this statement in reaction to Thursday’s decision by Judge Denise Cote saying that County Executive Rob Astorino’s veto of legislation prohibiting discrimination based on the source of a tenant’s income violated the county’s fair housing settlement with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Click here for a story on the decision:

Today’s decision from U. S. District Judge Denise Cote acknowledges and reaffirms the County Executive’s obligation under the terms of the Fair and Affordable Housing settlement agreement to promote source-of-income legislation that will deter landlords and realtors from discriminatory practices. I hope this convinces County Executive Astorino to tone down his rhetoric and simply comply with all of the terms of the settlement. Also, I call on the County Executive to present source-of-income legislation to the Board of Legislators to resolve this hurdle and restore the community development block grant funding to Westchester. It’s time to again move forward: Westchester needs fair and affordable housing, and providing new homes for our seniors, veterans and young professionals will create hundreds of jobs and strengthen our communities.

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